Google can do a lot, but could Google Ads prevent childhood obesity? Maybe so. Google has a new nutrition advertising policy that may soon be implemented in the U.S. If it is, it has the potential to decrease the online exposure of American children to unhealthy food and beverage advertisements.
Researchers from The George Institute for Global Health emphasize that Google could play a crucial role in fostering healthier dietary habits among younger generations by restricting ads promoting unhealthy products. The policy would notably reduce the promotion of products from the top 25 food and beverage companies in the nation. This could ultimately contribute to a healthier digital environment for children.
The policy in other countries
Google’s Nutrient Profiling Model (NPM) has already been adopted in the European Union and the United Kingdom, outlining nutritional standards that must be met for food and beverage advertisements targeting children through Google. This includes excluding ads for high-fat, high-sugar, and high-salt items like donuts and pizzas. Google has expressed its commitment to responsible food and beverage advertising by supporting these guidelines.
The research conducted by The George Institute examined 14,188 products from major U.S. food and beverage manufacturers. Including products from industry giants such as Coca-Cola, Nestlé, and Kraft Heinz. Their findings revealed that merely about 18 percent of these products would meet the criteria for advertising to children in the U.S. under Google’s NPM policy.
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With most of the daily calorie intake of the average American stemming from packaged foods and beverages and the alarming prevalence of obesity in American children and adolescents, the absence of government-led efforts to control unhealthy food advertising online raises concerns. Despite the World Health Organization’s repeated appeals for government intervention, researchers argue that prompt actions, such as implementing Google’s policy, could offer a swift solution to mitigate the impact of unhealthy food ads on the younger population’s dietary habits.